The High-Performance Development Standards (HPDS) are a set of design standards planned for new development applications in the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo, and the Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich. The HPDS embeds the energy transition and climate resilience into the planning approvals process.
This builds on the successes of similar initiatives in other Ontario municipalities, commonly referred to as “green development standards”. It was developed through feedback from local community, industry partners, and municipal staff.
This approach, crafted in partnership with WR Community Energy and the HPDS Municipal Working Group, underscores our commitment to enhancing the energy efficiency of future buildings, aligning with the Region’s ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% by 2050.
Waterloo Region is preparing to be the latest municipality in Ontario, Canada, and North America to integrate the energy transition and climate change into the planning process.
Guelph
TBD
Status: In progress
Brampton
Sustainable New Communities Program
In-effect: 2015
Last updated: 2022
Mississauga
Mississauga Green Development Standards
In-effect: 2012
Last updated: 2025 (Approved in 2024)
Halton Hills
Halton Hills Green Development Standards
In-effect: 2010
Updated: 2021
Toronto
Toronto Green Standards
In-effect: 2006
Updated: 2022 (Version 5 and 6 In Progress)
King
ThinKING Green: Sustainable Development Program
In-effect: 2021
Updated: 2024
Pickering
Integrated Sustainable Design Standards
In-effect: 2007 (Previously Sustainable Development Guidelines)
Updated: 2023
Clarington
Green Development Program
In-effect: 2013 (Previously Priority Green Clarington)
Updated: 2021
The Spread of High-Performance Development Standards (or equivalent) in Ontario
From 2005 to the Present
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Please contact Natasha Ing (ning@wrcommunityenergy.ca) with any questions.
